Ben Roethlisberger gets laid out (Video)

There have been plenty of big hits on Thursday night in the AFC North showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. The tone was set for those big hits early on a shot to Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

This shot came courtesy of Ravens’ defensive lineman Courtney Upshaw, with Roethlisberger finding himself in a precarious position as he was hung up and left open to take a big hit.

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While the Ravens were amped up because of this hit and the fact that it established their tough presence in a rivalry that has always been characterized by big, violent collisions, it also cost them a first down after Upshaw was flagged for roughing the passer.

That kind of penalty can be a tough pill to swallow for defenders, especially when there isn’t actually any helmet to helmet contact. But the fact of the matter is that Upshaw led with the crown of his helmet, and that will be called every single time.

There you go.

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